David Builds His Team

After David left Saul’s service, he set out to build a team to protect him from Saul. He needed people, food and supplies, and weapon. He was joined initially by a group of four hundred men that needed relief under Saul’s administration. They would be unreachable to Saul’s people by teaming with David and at the same time help protect David by building a team around him. David’s relationship with this group illustrates an important principle of team building.

Team Building Principles

A team is more likely to be successful if every member has a stake in the team’s well-being. David made this point to Abiathar, the priest, after he (Abiathar) escaped from a Saul-ordered pogrom on the town of Nob that included massacre of eighty-five priests and other men, women, and children. Saul ordered the pogrom to punish Ahimelech, Abiathar’s father and priest of Nob, for inquiring of God on behalf of David. However, Abiathar escaped and joined David’s team. To comfort Abiathar, David said to him [1 Samuel 22:23]: “Stay with me; don’t be afraid; the man who is seeking your life is seeking mine also. You will be safe with me.” That is, David made a case that he and Abiathar had a stake in the well-being of his team, so Abiathar would be protecting his interest as well as David’s by joining the team.

More Information

Please join us as we examine more details of David’s team-building activities. You can play the video or audio files or download the audio or pdf files.

Upcoming Bible Studies

A King for the PeopleFebruary 1, 2019 at 8:30 pm – 9:30 pm+1 2108728759We study interactions between Samuel and people of Israel and with God when Israel demanded and received approval for a king. Part of study series on The King and the People: Understanding Christian basis for government.

Making King Saul Part 1of2February 15, 2019 at 8:30 pm – 9:30 pm+1 2108728759God selects Saul to be king of Israel, informs Samuel the prophet but not Saul. We learn every position to rule a people is a call from God. Part of study series on The King and the People: Understanding Christian basis for government. 1 Samuel 9 & 10.

Making King Saul Part 2of2March 1, 2019 at 8:30 pm – 9:30 pm+1 2108728759God calls a person to be a ruler. The people elect the person that God called. Illustrated through Paul's election-by-lot to be king of Israel. Study series on The King and the People: Understanding Christian basis for government. 1 Samuel 10 & 11